WILTON – More than 150 people braved cold, windy weather and took to the ice Feb. 14 on Wilson Pond for the Wilton Fish and Game Association ice fishing derby. Fishermen showed up bright and early by cars, trucks, snowmobiles, ATVs, and even by foot to cover a rather large percentage of the lake from shore to shore.

Over the course of the day club members registered 23 fish consisting of togue, pickerel, brook trout, small mouth bass, and yellow perch. All the information on the fish species, weight, length, and condition was logged in and passed along to a local wildlife biologist.

For the adult division, first place of $100 went to Tim Allen for his 6.59-pound togue. Second prize of $75 went to Steven Hall for his 4.5-pound togue, and third prize of $50 went to Brandon Hall for his 4-pound togue. In the youth division, Keara Heap took top honors and $100 with her end-of-the-day pickerel that weighed 3.41 pounds. In second was Noah Smith with $75 for a 2.67-pound pickerel, and in third place Brett Hunter took the $50 prize with a 1.94-pound pickerel.

Everyone that bought a derby ticket was also entered in a raffle. Madison Bard won the portable ice shack, Richard Nile won 100 gallons of oil, and Jason Baldwin won an ice fishing starter package.

The club thanked its sponsors: Franklin County Chamber of Commerce, Rowe Auto Service, Wilton Hardware, Nancy’s Fashion Salon, Madore’s Market, Jack’s Trading Post, Brady’s, White Elephant, Beal’s Variety, TJ’s Variety, My Wife’s Place, Farmington Farmers Union, Gould’s Service, and DownEast Energy; and members; Phil Maurais, Jeff Rowe, Warren Bryant, Charlie Tappan, Steve Drummond, Richard Carpen, Tom Saviello, Bruce Dyke, Auther Lablant and Noll Brown for their assistance.

Wilton Fish and Game invites anyone who wants to join to call Phil Maurais at 897-4305 or to visit a monthly meetings held the third Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. The club just made major improvements to its shooting range and has many events scheduled throughout the year.